MX2

Team HRC’s Todd Waters has undergone a successful surgery in Riga to stabilise the right-collarbone fracture sustained last Saturday during the qualifying race of the MXGP of Latvia. The operation, which lasted around two hours, was performed at the ORTO Klīnikā by Dr Valdis Andersons to insert a metal plate and fix it to the bone with eight screws.

Waters is now travelling back to the Netherlands, where he will start his recovery with the goal to re-join Team HRC and return to action when back to full fitness.

Todd Waters stated: 'Obviously I’m really disappointed with how the weekend went, especially as I felt I was finally getting rid of nerves and showing some speed. It’s a pity, but we had the operation and we’re now ready to head back to Holland. My girlfriend is flying from Australia and she’s a physiotherapist, so towards the end of the week we’ll start with the rehab programme. It’s the collarbone, so it’s not the end of the world; it has happened to me before and we have a strong programme in place to get back to racing as soon as possible. The team has been so supportive all along as they came to visit more than once to make sure everything was under control. This is nice: it makes me feel at home and welcome in the Honda family. I feel privileged and even more motivated to get back and do well.'

KEGUMS (Latvia) 13 May 2018 - The 2018 MXGP of Latvia has left us filled with action and close racing today with the best motocross riders in the world lining up behind the gate and taking on the challenging Kegums circuit. For the second year in a row Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen have left Latvia as overall winners.

Only a short drive from the Latvian capital city of Riga, Kegums was full of warm weather mixed with deep sand and a technical circuit to provide not only a challenge of skill and mental strength but also physical endurance and quick reactions. Latvia’s motocross fans lined the edges of the circuit and its hillsides to watch their national hero, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, along with all the other riders of the FIM Motocross World Championship cheering at the top of their lungs.

Latvia’s Kegums circuit was reversed ahead of this weekend’s racing but the changes had little effect on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. Herlings, who won his first ever MXGP overall here last year, started the weekend in dominant form first topping the Free and Time Practice sessions by a substantial margin and then winning Saturday’s Qualifying race by 50 seconds.

On the other side of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing paddock was the #222 Antonio Cairoli in his 222nd GP after 14 years in the World Championship. Cairoli was also remarkable on Saturday with a charge from near last to finish Qualifying in 3rd.

Today the fortunes swapped with Cairoli grabbing the Race 1 FOX Holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre while Herlings was around 10th. Cairoli and Febvre battled for the lead in the first few laps while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin ran in 2nd.

Febvre’s Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP teammate, Jeremy Van Horebeek jostled with Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing’s Clement Desalle over 4th the first laps before Herlings found his way past both on lap 4. Paulin then started to get pressured by Herlings and lost his 3rd spot only 2 laps later.

Another lap later Herlings was again moving forward taking second away from Febvre. On the 9th lap Herlings claimed the lead from Cairoli. The “Bullet” then continued to stay just out of the reach of Cairoli and save energy for race 2. At the finish Herlings was 3.095 seconds ahead of Cairoli and over 30 seconds ahead of Febvre who had to fight off Paulin to the line.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser had a challenging race 1 finishing 9th but the result was impressive after starting outside of the top 20.

Race 2 was more of the same off the start with Febvre taking the FOX Holeshot and Cairoli right alongside while Herlings was outside the top 5. Febvre crashed on the opening lap and Cairoli fought with the other Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, Glenn Coldenhoff.

Cairoli led the field at the end of the first lap while Herlings crossed the finish in 5th. Tim Gajser made up for his poor start in race one by running in 3rd the first 2 laps of race 2. Paulin ran in 4th the first lap but lost the spot by the second time around to Herlings.

Herlings then again made his way to the front as Cairoli checked out with a 10 second lead. On lap 3 Herlings was into 3rd by Gajser and then into 2nd the following lap around Coldenhoff, on the same lap Coldenhoff was also passed by Gajser and later Paulin.

Febvre would fall for a second time when he ran into the back of Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Arminas Jasikonis, the fall left Febvre unable to finish the race. Febvre’s fellow Frenchman, Gautier Paulin, was however able to take 3rd from Gajser on lap 12.

As Herlings cut into the lead of Cairoli the Italian simultaneously was caught in lapped traffic. Cairoli’s issues mixed with Herlings’ charge resulted in Herlings making a pass for the lead 6 laps before the finish. Across the finish line first was Herlings, Cairoli, and Paulin securing the overall in the same order. Just missing out on the overall podium was Desalle and Gajser.

Jeffrey Herlings in the post race press conferene said: “I think it was a good weekend, you know yesterday was obviously perfect, I was able to get the holeshot and do my own thing. It was a little more demanding than I was expecting today especially after the result of yesterday but we did good things for the championship.”

Antonio Cairoli: “I’m really happy because my speed was good and we are in one piece, the track was very difficult and the rhythm was really very fast. I am a little disappointed with the second race, my plan was to hold him a little bit longer and fight for the GP win. But overall I’m really happy about the starts and the championship is very long so we are looking forward to the next races.”

Gautier Paulin: “I’m feeling good, physically, and I’m improving the starts. I crashed in the Qualifying race yesterday but I am feeling happy with the bike, the setup and the engine.”

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:17.750; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:03.095; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:30.745; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:31.253; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:48.939; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:57.055; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +1:01.142; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:02.892; 9. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:05.283; 10. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Honda), +1:09.370.

MXGP Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:20.083; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:06.153; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:56.082; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:02.105; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:07.560; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:11.982; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:19.390; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:26.477; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +1:39.387; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:41.924.

MXGP Overall Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 38 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 32 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 30 p.; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 29 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 26 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 21 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 20 p.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 336 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 307 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 244 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 223 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 218 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 180 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 179 p.; 8. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 177 p.; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 155 p.; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 134 p.

MXGP Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 347 points; 2. Kawasaki, 255 p.; 3. Yamaha, 246 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 226 p.; 5. Honda, 192 p.; 6. TM, 121 p.; 7. Suzuki, 93 p.

Coming into the MX2 races this weekend many eyes were on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass and Jorge Prado but at the start of MX2 race 1 it was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen who made the biggest impression.

Olsen took the holeshot and led Jonass while Prado clipped the back of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington and went down. With the threat of Prado missing Jonass was able to focus on catching Olsen but the tall Dane out rode Jonass leading every single lap to the checkered flag.

Behind the two front runners was originally STC Racing Husqvarna’s Henry Jacobi and Honda 114 Motorsports Hunter Lawrence. Lawrence fell hard on lap 2 and was unable to finish the race. Jacobi held 3rd for 7 laps before a charging Covington made it past the German.

2 laps after Covington’s pass on Jacobi, Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts passed the #29 and 2 laps after that Geerts’ Teammate Ben Watson did the same. At the finish Olsen beat Jonass, Covington, Geerts, and Watson while Jacobi took 6th.

Race 2 was a redemption race for Prado as he took his 7th Fox Holeshot of the season and sprinted away from the field. Jago Geerts had an amazing start in second ahead of Watson, Olsen, and LRT KTM’s Davy Pootjes. By lap 7 Olsen was getting into a flow and the next lap made a pass on Watson and Geerts directly after.

Though Olsen was in 2nd Prado was long gone but Jonass was fighting his way forward from 13th on lap one. As Prado led he fell in the first turn just before Pit Lane which essentially cost him his entire advantage over Olsen.

Prado would however rebound from the mistake well and regain a gap with the help of an error from Olsen. Across the finish Prado took the race win by 2.6 seconds over Olsen, Geerts, Watson, and Jonass. In the overall classification Olsen claimed his second Latvian GP victory in 2 attempts while Geerts achieved his first career MX2 podium in 2nd and Jonass took 3rd.

Thomas Kjer Olsen stated: “It is a good feeling winning and I don’t know, there is something about this place that I really like. I have always had a good feeling here even in my European Championship days. It kind of reminds a little bit of Denmark but this is how I want to ride every weekend.”

Jago Geerts: “It was a really good weekend for me, my riding was good all weekend, just two solid races and second overall is really good for me.”

Pauls Jonass: “The home GP is always a little more difficult than the others but overall I’m really happy to be on the podium. The fans were really crazy, I could hear them when I made every single pass which was really good, they pushed me forward and I’m really thankful for everyone who came to support me, it helped a lot!”

MX2 Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), 34:09.629; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:11.055; 3. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:19.745; 4. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:30.988; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:32.466; 6. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:51.207; 7. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), +0:52.956; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:54.718; 9. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:57.004; 10. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:59.914.

MX2 Race 2 Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 34:24.759; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:02.681; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:04.511; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:09.717; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:26.958; 6. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:36.606; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:47.007; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:56.954; 9. Iker Larranaga Olano (ESP, Husqvarna), +0:58.588; 10. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:59.115.

MX2 Overall Top Ten: 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 47 points; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 38 p.; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 34 p.; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 26 p.; 7. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 24 p.; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 23 p.; 9. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 21 p.; 10. Iker Larranaga Olano (ESP, HUS), 21 p.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 304 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 282 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 266 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 210 p.; 5. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 174 p.; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 156 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 140 p.; 8. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 128 p.; 9. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 127 p.; 10. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 126 p.

MX2 Manufacturers: 1. KTM, 344 points; 2. Husqvarna, 288 p.; 3. Yamaha, 232 p.; 4. Honda, 218 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 204 p.; 6. TM, 87 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos of the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE

MXGP LATVIA – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1560m

Type of ground: Hard Soil

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: sunny

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 31,000

MXGP was available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

NEXT STOP

The next round of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship is taking place in 1 week time in Teutschenthal, Germany.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Latvia

Tragic news struck the world motocross community last week when 5 time FIM Motocross Champion Eric “the Kid” Geboers lost his life in a boating accident.

Geboers was a well liked and important member of the MXGP community continually striving to promote the sport and help those involved. This weekend the loss of Geboers was acknowledged with a minute of silence before the start of MXGP and MX2 racing. As the riders of MX2 lined up to the start of Race 1 many showed their support with a special “RIP Mr.875” sticker on their number plate.

The moving moment was broadcasted around the world with a special video dedicated to the memory of Geboers. Even with the final farewell it was clear that Geboers will not be soon forgotten and his impact on the sport and its community will live on for many more years to come.

KEGUMS (Latvia) 12 May 2018 - The 2018 MXGP of Latvia is off and running with the Qualifying races of the FIM Motocross World Championship being led from start to finish by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado!

With a new track layout and new first turn today’s races were action packed from the very start. The new and longer right hand first turn left riders banging bars for position as they relied on only their front brakes for stopping power.

The track layout quickly became technical for all the riders especially those of the EMX classes, EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing. In EMX250 Race 1 Estonia’s Karel Kutsar led the first 12 laps before Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Mathys Boisrame took the lead. Boisrame who started in 3rd passed KTM Silver Action’s Gianluca Facchetti for second on lap 3 then after his pass on Kutsar took the race win.

In the first race of EMX125 presented by FMF Racing it was Yamaha Europe EMX125’s Thibault Benistant who took over the lead from fast starter Emil Jonrup after 5 laps. Jonrup then lost 2nd to Raivo Dankers and 3rd to Rene Hofer before a big crash left him to finish 31st. Dankers applied pressure to Benistant throughout the remainder of the race but couldn’t get by the young French rider. At the finish Benistant won over Dankers and Hofer.

MXGP’s Saturday racing was full of impressive action, mostly from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings. Setting an unmatched pace in every session today Herlings left many wondering how. In Free Practice Herlings was 3 seconds a lap faster than the rest of the field and almost 2 seconds quicker in Time Practice.

At the start of Qualifying Herlings lined up in the furthest inside gate and charged into the first turn with the Holeshot, behind the “Bullet” was Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing’s Clement Desalle and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre.

With Herlings in the lead many looked to find out where his title rival and defending MXGP Champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Antonio Cairoli was placed. Cairoli came across the first timing sector in 24th position after a first turn crash with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin, Team Honda Redmoto Assomotor’s Arminas Jasikonis, BOS GP’s Evgeny Bobryshev, and more.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff was also riding well from the start fighting for 4th position. Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who started outside the top five moved past Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Van Horebeek along with Coldenhoff by the end of the 6th lap.

Gajser’s fill-in HRC teammate Todd Waters was running an impressive 8th and closing in on Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Sewer who ran 7th when a crash took Waters out of racing and left the Australian with a fractured collar bone and the unlucky Team HRC again down to 1 MXGP rider.

Herlings gapped Desalle and Febvre as they battled over 2nd and Gajser ending up taking advantage catching the pair before passing Febvre for 3rd. Cairoli meanwhile was making impressive work of the field calmly passing his way up to 7th with 2 laps to go.

On the penultimate lap Gajser crashed dropping him to 7th while Cairoli passed Coldenhoff for 5th and then both Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP riders, Van Horebeek and Febvre on the last lap. Cairoli’s amazing comeback to third place from well outside the top 20 was however overshadowed by the massive Herlings win where he was nearly 4 seconds a lap faster on average then 2nd place, finishing 50 seconds ahead of Desalle in 2nd.

Jeffrey Herlings in the Press Conference said: “It was a walk in the park today but it doesn’t mean anything for tomorrow, it is a gnarly track and a lot of things can happen as you could see in the pile up on the first turn. I feel I am really one with the bike here on this track and my confidence is growing, I definitely had a good start, I had another Holeshot so that was pretty nice and I could just do my own thing.”

MXGP Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 25:15.963; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:50.350; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:52.955; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:53.967; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:56.432; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:59.992; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:01.824; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:02.220; 9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:03.219; 10. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), +1:09.757

The MX2 class Qualifying Race was also a testament to the importance of a strong start on the Kegums circuit. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass is the clear home fan favorite and rightfully so as the Latvian leads the MX2 Championship. However when the gate dropped it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who took the Holeshot and early lead.

Similar to the MXGP start, the MX2 riders tried to manage their way through the first turn without making mistakes, it was not the case however as Jonass went down along with Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen, F&H Racing Team’s Jed Beaton, and last year’s MXGP of Latvia’s overall MX2 winner, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen.

Taking full advantage of the start was not only Prado, who created a gap which he maintained over all 12 laps, but Hitachi KTM UK’s Conrad Mewse who was in second behind Prado the first 6 laps.

The first to pass Mewse was Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Ben Watson. Watson, who just scored his career first podium in Russia, has now achieved his career’s best Qualifying result. Following the moves of Watson and taking a position away from Mewse was Honda 114 Motorsport’s Hunter Lawrence. Lawrence maintained 3rd position to the finish in a strong return from a hand injury which he suffered in Trentino’s practice sessions.

STC Racing Husqvarna’s Henry Jacobi also had a good qualifying race running third early before be passed by both Watson and Lawrence on the same lap. Jacobi ended up finishing in 6th just behind Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts and ahead of Olsen who came back to 7th.

Pauls Jonass was only able to recover to 12th place and later stated: “It is always nice to race at home but for sure it is always a little extra pressure. I have been racing here already for 4 years in the GPs and every year on Saturday I struggle. Saturdays are not the best for me and this year it was the same, I crashed on the start and the first laps I actually rode ok but after I got tight and had a little arm pump but tomorrow is a new day, I’m feeling positive for tomorrow.”

Jorge Prado shared: “It was a good qualifying race, I took the Holeshot so that made it easier… I rode pretty good and smooth the whole time so I’m really happy about that and I like the new layout. Last year I lost the podium on the last lap, this year my fitness is way better and I will not lose it in the last laps for sure. I am tight in the points with Pauls and yeah I will train to gain some points tomorrow.”

Thomas Kjer Olsen: “I went down in the first corner, made it pretty tough on myself throughout the race, I just wanted to see how far I could come back and I came back to 7th which I’m really happy with. My riding was really good and I felt smooth, the track is really fun out there, I enjoy this kind of soil and the way that the track develops. I actually felt really good and I got somewhat of a decent spot of the gate tomorrow so hopefully I can pull out two good starts and be up there.”

MX2 Qualifying Race Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 24:09.314; 2. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:06.149; 3. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:16.130; 4. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:18.654; 5. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:25.607; 6. Henry Jacobi (GER, Husqvarna), +0:31.270; 7. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:42.455; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:44.122; 9. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:46.279; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, Honda), +0:47.834

Click here to obtain the complete results

All the photos of the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE

MXGP LATVIA – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1560m

Type of ground: Hard Soil

Temperature: 26°

Weather conditions: sunny

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+3)

Sunday: EMX125 Race 2 09:45, MX2 Warm-Up 10:25, MXGP Warm-Up 10:45, EMX250 Race 2 11:30, MX2 Race 1 13:15, MXGP Race 1 14:15, MX2 Race 2 16:10, MXGP Race 2 17:10

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Latvia

KEGUMS (Latvia) 11 May 2018 - Earlier this afternoon the opening press conference for the 2018 MXGP of Latvia was held at Riga’s Lido Leisure center. With the racing taking place in Kegums this weekend various delegates, representatives, and riders joined in the conference in front of both national and international media.

Starting off the conference was forewords from Youthstream Vice President David Luongo, FIM CMS Director Tony Skilington, MXGP of Latvia Local Organizer Kristers Sergis, Ministry Representative Geizãns Andis, and LAMSF President Martins Lazdovskis.

Youthstream Vice President David Luongo: I wish to thank the local organizer Kristers Sergis and the LAMSF President Martins Lazdovskis for the work they put into this GP. The MXGP of Latvia is part of the history of the Motocross World Championship, it’s been on the calendar for many years now because of the quality of the local Organisation with outstanding facilities, a well prepared track and welcoming people. Besides Latvia is the home country of many talented riders and it’s a great pleasure to have Pauls Jonass as the MX2 World Championship leader who represents this fantastic country. On behalf of Youthstream I can say we are very proud to be in Latvia and support the promotion of this beautiful country to the world. 

FIM/CMS Director Tony Skilington: “As always it is a great pleasure to be in Latvia and I am very pleased about how everything has developed, from the attitude of the federation to the good work done on the circuit. We know that it is not by chance, it is due to a big effort by  local organizer Kristers Sergis and his team along with LAMSF President Martins Lazdovskis and his support. This GP has now established itself as one of the more mature stops in the calendar where we know that the quality of the circuit and the preparation will be 100% before we get here, so we are very happy!”

MXGP of Latvia Local Organizer Kristers Sergis: “I want to first say thank you to Youthstream and the FIM for their continued trust in our organization over the past several years and for allowing us to host the Word Championship once again. We are lucky to be one of the venues in the world that will host a race of the MXGP season along with other amazing places such as Argentina and Indonesia, we are all looking forward to the racing to start tomorrow and hope to provide another excellent stage for these riders.”

After hearing from the officials the microphone was then passed onto the stars of MXGP and MX2 including Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre, and Team HRC’s Tim Gajser. Each of the rider expressed their excitement to again be in Latvia and even more so to try out the new track layout tomorrow.

At the conclusion of the conference the riders and representative joined together for family photos and one on one interviews with national media. It is clear that the riders, organization, and fans alike are ready for racing to start tomorrow!

Click HERE to download the upadted Weekend Timetable from the MXGP of Latvia!

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

All the photos of the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Latvia

An updated timetable for the MXGP of Latvia which is taking place in Kegums this weekend has been released.

You can click HERE to download the Official Timetbale in PDF format. 

KEGUMS (Latvia), 11 May 2018 – The FIM Motocross World Championship has made its way to the Baltic region of Europe for the 2018 MXGP of Latvia. Hosting the event for many years now is the Kegums circuit just a short trip from Riga, the capital of Latvia. This year the racing will again race on the Kegums circuit but with a new reversed layout!

The championship chase is heating up in the MXGP class with Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing Team’s Clement Desalle joining in the battle of the two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders of Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli! Plus to add the excitement MX2 points leader and defending champion, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, is looking to claim his first ever home GP victory!

This year’s MXGP of Latvia will receive worldwide television coverage from its usual television partners but with the addition of LIVE coverage from CBS Sports Network to be aired in both the United States and Canada on Sunday! Local Latvian Television will also be on site to cover the event, plus the entire event including Qualifying and the races of EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing will be shown LIVE worldwide from Kegums on www.MXGP-TV.com both Saturday and Sunday.

As usual you can watch the 26min Behind the Gate in Europe on motorsport.tv & MotorTrend two days after the event. It can also be viewed in the USA/Canada on BeIn and MAV TV, Finland on MTV 3, Croatia on Kreator TV, South America on FOX Sports, Asia on FOX Sports, China on Fox Sports and SINA, and the Africa on Africa XP.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch the MXGP of Latvia:

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 13 May – MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 am ET (06:00 am PT) - Live

Sunday 13 May – MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 am ET (07.00 pm PT) - Live

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS 3

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET – Live

ÉÉN

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:30 – 30mn Highlights

BULGARIA

BNT

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – Bulgaria timing- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – Bulgaria timing - Live

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 13:30 – CET - Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 14:30 – CET – Delayed

ITALY

RAI Sports 2 HD

Thursday 17 May – MXGP Race 2 – 17:30 – Delayed

LATVIA

Latvian TV

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – local time - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – local time - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – local time - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 – local time - Live

NETHERLAND

NOS

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live streaming

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET – Live streaming

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 3

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 – GMT+1– Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 – GMT+1- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 16:10 – GMT+1 - Delayed

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 17:10 – GMT+1 - Delayed

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

UK

Motorsport.tv

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 – GMT +1 - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 – GMT +1- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 14:00 – GMT +1- Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 15:00 – GMT +1- Live

ASIA

FOX SPORTS ASIA

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 10:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 11:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 13:00 Asia time – Delayed

FOX SPORTS SEA (Hong Kong – Macau – Thailand – Singapore – Indonesia)

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 10:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 11:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 13:00 Asia time – Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA(Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore,  Thailand, Malaysia

FOX SPORTS SEA (Hong Kong – Macau – Thailand – Singapore – Indonesia)

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 22:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 24:00 Asia time – Delayed

Tuesday 15 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 25:00 Asia time – Delayed

CHINA

STAR Sports China

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 15:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 16:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 17:00 Asia time – Delayed

Monday 14 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 Asia time – Delayed

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 1 – 08:00 – Brazil timing - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 1 – 09:00 – Brazil timing - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 – Brazil timing - Live

Sunday 13 May  – MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 – Brazil timing – Live

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition and is also globally available to view live and in HD on MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks.

All the photos of the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+3)

Saturday: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Time Practice 07:45, EMX125 Group 2 Free/Time Practice 08:30, EMX250 Group 1 Free/Time Practice 09:15, EMX250 Group 2 Free/Time Practice 10:00, EMX125 Last Chance Race 10:55, MX2 Free Practice 11:30, MXGP Free Practice 12:00, EMX250 Last Chance Race 13:00, MX2 Time Practice 14:00, MXGP Time Practice 14:40, EMX125 Race 1 15:25, MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25, MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10, EMX250 Race 1 17:55

Sunday: EMX125 Race 2 09:45, MX2 Warm-Up 10:25, MXGP Warm-Up 10:45, EMX250 Race 2 11:30, MX2 Race 1 13:15, MXGP Race 1 14:15, MX2 Race 2 16:10, MXGP Race 2 17:10

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Latvia

The family and friends of Eric Geboers would like to thank everyone for the support they have been receiving the last couple of days. The large number of beautiful messages is overwhelming. Still, the family would like to ask to respect their privacy in this time of grief.

In his life, Eric touched the hearts of many. He had a big heart for people and animals. To give everyone a chance to pay their last respects, there will be a last goodbye held at the motocross track in Lommel on Tuesday the 15^th. Everyone is welcome from 19h to 21h, to give Eric the farewell he deserves.

The funeral will be a closed ceremony for family and friends only. To ensure the serenity of the ceremony, the family asks to respect their privacy. Media or public will not be allowed. A befriended photographer will make some images, which will be made available to the media upon request.

(MONACO) Principality of Monaco, 10 May 2018 - Youthstream is proud to announce that FIAT Professional has stepped up to be the title sponsor at the 2018 MXGP of Lombardia and MXGP of Belgium. The pair of events now renamed Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia and Fiat Professional MXGP of Belgium are set to take place the 17th of June in Ottobiano and the 5th of August in Lommel respectively.

The choice for Fiat Professional was in part due to the success of the 2017 editions of the FIAT Professional MXGP of France, FIAT Professional Fullback MXGP of Lombardia and FIAT Professional MXGP of Belgium. In addition to the title sponsorship of the two events Fiat Professional is also present on both the track and in the paddock of every GP of 2018, including the always popular autograph signing event with Fiat Professional ambassador Antonio Cairoli. This continued success from Youthstream and FIAT Professional partnership continues to benefit the growth of the sport of motocross with the Italian brand positioning itself at the top of the world motocross market.

Manufacturer of Fullback Cross and Ducato 4x4 models Fiat Professional meets the off road needs of motocross athletes. The Fullback Cross in particular is rugged, reliable, and boasts an impressive load capacity, capable of a payload over 1 ton with 3 tons of towable weight. Featuring all-wheel drive and a 4WD electronic selector, it tackles the roughest terrain in the toughest conditions often present in motocross. Meanwhile, the Ducato 4x4 is an all-terrain and permanent four-wheel drive vehicle for optimised traction on mud, snow and sand.

Tickets for the 2018 Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia can be purchased here while VIP GOLD Packages for both events, the Fiat Professional MXGP of Lombardia and the Fiat Professional MXGP of Belgium are available following this link: https://www.gootickets.com/en/2363-MXGPVIP/

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Fiat Professional

KEGUMS (Latvia) 10 May 2018 - 6 rounds into 2018 and the MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship has a new winner coming into Kegums, Latvia for this weekend’s MXGP of Latvia: Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle has added to the excitement of the title chase.

Last year we saw the first dominant performance of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings as he took double victories on the sandy circuit. Latvia was an important race in the 2017 championship chase not only seeing Herlings return to form but also a massive and costly crash from Team HRC’s Tim Gajser.

As for the MX2 class the race will hold significant value for the series points leader and defending MX2 World Champion Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass. Jonass, a Latvian himself, will have the full backing of the fans and look to win his home GP for the first time ever after narrowly losing out to rookie success of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen, who took his first ever GP victory here last year.

The circuit in Kegums, very close to the capital of Latvia, Riga, has seen the World Championship since 2009 with its sandy soil and technical surface. The venue is world class and in addition to the MXGP World Championship the circuit hosted the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in 2014. Throughout the past years the track has hosted dramatic racing, challenged the world’s best riders, and the same is expected this year.

The weekend will be a busy one as well packed with both MXGP and EMX racing. Adding to the schedule is the classes of EMX250 and EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing. The two classes each have 79 riders entered including points leaders Martin Barr in EMX250 and Rene Hofer in EMX125 presented by FMF Racing.

The MXGP class prior to the Russian GP was dominated by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli. However Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle is gaining ground on the pair of KTM riders and starting what could be a three way battle for the championship after his win only a week and a half ago in Russia.

Last year Herlings found his winning form on the Kegums circuit edging out his rival Cairoli while Desalle finished just off the podium with 2-5 finishes for 4th. Desalle has raced the circuit since its first appearance on the MXGP calendar in 2009 where he finished 2nd. Cairoli meanwhile will race his 222nd GP and has won in Latvia 4 times including the circuit’s first World Championship race in 2009 with 3 2nd place finishes and one 5th. Kegums is clearly a strong track for the Sicilian and one where we may see him atop the podium at the end of the weekend.

BOS GP’s Evgeny Bobryshev found the podium in Latvia last year for one of the best performances of the season. Team HRC’s Tim Gajser is also returning to form and was fast on the Kegums circuit last year before a crash took him out of racing. Gajser won the Latvian GP in 2016 and likely will challenge for the podium this weekend.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre sits 4th in the championship standings but last year he came away from Latvia with a disappointing 13th overall. Nevertheless Febvre has reached the Latvian podium twice, in both 2015 and 2016.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin is another rider to watch. Paulin, currently 5th in points, finished 5th in Latvia last year but had a strong 2nd in 2015 and has never missed the top ten in the 7 times he’s raced the circuit.

Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Shaun Simpson has yet to decide wether to race this weekend after a crash took him out of contention in Russia only a week and a half ago. A decision from the charismatic Brit is expected later this week.

Team HRC will return to a two rider MXGP effort in Latvia with the fill in ride of Todd Waters for the injured Brian Bogers. Waters is familiar with the circuit after racing to a 12th overall in 2015 and has been working hard with the team on testing leading into the weekend.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 286 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 263 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 212 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 203 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 180 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 152 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 150 p.; 8. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 147 p.; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 135 p.; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 113 p.

2017 MXGP of Latvia MXGP top 3:

            1. Jeffrey Herlings

            2. Antonio Cairoli

            3. Evgeny Bobryshev

In the MX2 class Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen will be looking to repeat his winning Latvian performance from 2017 but will be up against the formidable Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo of Pauls Jonass and Jorge Prado.

For Jonass this is his home GP and a very special one which he comes into with the momentum of dominating the MXGP of Russia and leading the MX2 championship. Last year Jonass missed the out on taking the win managed a strong 2nd place to the roar of his home fans.

Prado is now 20 points back in the standings from his teammate Jonass but has been the one rider so far this season that has consistently pushed the pace of the reigning champ. Prado’s only race on the circuit was last year where just missed the podium in 4th.

Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen will hope to bring his new Honda to the podium for the first time in 2018 this Sunday. Vlaanderen has been close with strong races but with the podium result of last year in mind, this may be his weekend.

Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Ben Watson reached the podium for the first time in his MX2 career just over a week ago in Russia after barely missing it on several prior occasions. Watson now 4th in the points will look to keep the momentum going and improve upon his 19 overall in 2017.

F&H Racing Team’s Jed Beaton is running 5^th in the championship with his most recent result being 8th overall in Russia. Ben Watson’s Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Teammate Vsevolod Brylyakov will miss the racing due to a knee injury suffered at his home MXGP of Russia. The unfortunate turn of events for Brylyakov comes after his best qualifying performance in 4th and a season high 3rd place race result in Trentino.

Also notable to mention is the possible return of Honda 114 Motorsport’s Hunter Lawrence. Lawrence who suffered an injury in Trentino showed speed early in the season and was expected to contend for the title.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 266 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 246 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 219 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 176 p.; 5. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 156 p.; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA, HON), 130 p.; 7. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 127 p.; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), 108 p.; 9. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 104 p.; 10. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 102 p.;

2017 MXGP of Latvia MX2 top 3:

            1. Thomas Kjer Olsen

            2. Pauls Jonass

            3. Calvin Vlaanderen

All the photos of the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE

TIMETABLE in Local Time (GMT+3)

Saturday: EMX125 Group 1 Free/Time Practice 07:45, EMX125 Group 2 Free/Time Practice 08:30, EMX250 Group 1 Free/Time Practice 09:15, EMX250 Group 2 Free/Time Practice 10:00, EMX125 Last Chance Race 10:55, MX2 Free Practice 11:30, MXGP Free Practice 12:00, EMX250 Last Chance Race 13:00, MX2 Time Practice 14:00, MXGP Time Practice 14:40, EMX125 Race 1 15:25, MX2 Qualifying Race 16:25, MXGP Qualifying Race 17:10, EMX250 Race 1 17:55

Sunday: EMX125 Race 2 09:45, MX2 Warm-Up 10:25, MXGP Warm-Up 10:45, EMX250 Race 2 11:30, MX2 Race 1 13:15, MXGP Race 1 14:15, MX2 Race 2 16:10, MXGP Race 2 17:10

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Latvia